The Economics of Everyday Things

How does a fresh tuna get from Japan to Nebraska before it goes bad? And how does its journey show up in the price of your spicy tuna rolls? Zachary Crockett gets schooled.   SOURCES:Sasha Issenberg, ...

Why do millions of people pay to have one of the world’s deadliest toxins injected into their faces? Zachary Crockett looks surprised.   SOURCES:Dana Berkowitz, sociologist and author.Jean Carruthers,...

Almost everyone who buys a home spends thousands of dollars on title insurance. Most of them don’t understand it, and almost none of them use it. So why does it exist? Zachary Crockett closes the deal...

Once considered noble and heroic, pigeons are now viewed as an urban nuisance — one that costs cities millions of dollars a year. Zachary Crockett tosses some crumbs.   SOURCES:Andrew Blechman, journa...

How do criminals turn their ill-gotten gains into taxable income? And how does law enforcement stop them? Zachary Crockett follows the money.   SOURCES:Patrick McKenzie, fraud prevention expert and st...

Thanks to online booking platforms, the way we make reservations has changed — but a table at a hot restaurant on a Friday night is still a valuable commodity. Zachary Crockett books a four-top for 7 ...

There are more firefighters than ever — and fewer fires for them to fight. So the job has changed. Zachary Crockett slides down the pole.   SOURCES:Joshua Hurwitz, lecturer in economics at Tufts Unive...

Performing at a strip club can be lucrative, but it requires financial and psychological savvy — and an eye for social trends. Zachary Crockett takes a look.   SOURCES:Layla, stripper.Dave Manack, pub...

Why does treating a venomous snake bite cost as much as a house? Zachary Crockett slithers over to North Carolina to find out.   SOURCES:Steve Anderson, emergency medicine business unit leader at BTG ...

Online companies promised to bring transparency to the mattress-buying experience. Did that work out? Zachary Crockett takes a look under the sheets.   SOURCES:Derek Hales, founder and editor-in-chief...